Editor's note: This was the fanzine that caused the First
Expulsion Act. Several of the Futurians were not allowed to enter the
first World Science Fiction Convention because Chairman Sam Moskowitz said
they were distributing an offensive publication. A WARNING! was written
by David Kyle who was not expelled because he was already in the convention
hall.

- Joe Siclari

I M P O R T A N T !

Read This Immediately!

A WARNING!

July 2, 1939

B E W A R E

OF THE DICTATORSHIP

You, who are reading this pamphlet, have come to attend
the World's Science Fiction Convention. You are to be
praised for your attendance and complimented on the
type of fiction in which you are interested. But, TODAY
BE AWARE OF ANY MOVEMENT TO COERCE OR
BULLY YOU INTO SUBMISSION! Remember, this is
YOUR convention, for YOU! Be on the alert, lest certain
well-organized minorities use you to ratify their carefully
conceived plans.

Why This Warning?

This warning is being given to you by a group of sincere
science fiction fans. The reasons for this warning are
numerous; THEY ARE BASED UPON EVENTS OF THE
PAST -- particularly events which took place at the Newark
Convention of 1937. At that time the gathering of fans and
interested readers was pounded into obedience by the
controlling clique. The Newark Convention set up dictatorially,
the machinery for the convention which you are now attending.
THE NEWARK CONVENTION MUST NOT BE PERMITTED
TO REPEAT ITSELF! It remains in your power to see that this
convention today will be an example of perfect democracy.

Startling Facts

The Queens Science Fiction League was formed by the
Newark Clique, after that convention, in order to make the
necessary local organization upon which the dictatorial
Convention Committee could base itself. The editors
demanded such an organization. The self-appointed
chairman of the Newark Convention accordingly arranged
to form it so as to get a New York City organization for
the similarly formed New Fandom. A constitution was
written for it which is kept secret for the most part, but is
arranged so as not to allow the possibility of any opponent
joining the organization by the mechanics of allowing only
one blackball, instead of the traditional two.

ALSO, The Queens Science Fiction League is run arbitrarily
by its three leaders and discussion from the floor and dissention
in any form is rigidly controlled or suppressed. The editors
and those dependent on them for a living, the authors, have
made it a duty to attend Queens S.F.L. meetings regularly
in order to keep it going and to keep the 1939 Convention
in hand. At the elections held last meeting, held openly so
as to detect any possible opposition, the three dictators were
re-elected unanimously in perfect un-democratic harmony.

The Newark Revolution

Led by a few indignant science fiction fans, the Convention
of Newark in 1937 passed, OVER THE REFUSAL OF THE
CHAIRMAN TO RECOGNIZE THE MOTION, by A MAJORITY
OF MEMBERS, a resolution officially censuring the Chairman
for his "undemocratic, dictatorial acts" which was place in the
minutes of the convention. Afterwards, a petition was SIGNED
BY A MAJORITY further censuring him, together with his cohorts.

High Handed Tactics

At the same time that the Queens S.F.L. was established, a large
number of New York City fans formed the Futurian Society of
New York. Contrary to much propaganda, the Futurian Society
is not confined to communists, michelists, or other radical elements;
it is a democratic club, run in a democratic way, and reflecting
sincere science fiction fan activity. At a meeting about three
months ago, the Futurians, in the interest of peace and united
friendly action in New York for the Convention, voted an offer
of a united meeting with the Queens S.F.L. to work out such
co-operation. THIS OFFER HAS NEVER BEEN PLACED
TO THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE OTHER ORGANIZATION,
BEING SIDE-TRACKED BY THE DICTATORS OF THE
CLUB.

A Loaded Weapon

The World's Science Fiction Convention of 1939 in the
hands of such heretofore ruthless scoundrels is a loaded
weapon in the hands of such men. This weapon can be
aimed at their critics or can be used to blast all fandom.
But YOU, the reader of this short article, are the ammunition.
It is for YOU to decide whether you shall bow before the
unfair tactics and endorse the carefully arranged plans of
the Convention Committee. Beware of any crafty speeches
or sly appeals. BE ON YOUR GUARD!

History In The Making

What is done at this convention will make science fiction
history. YOU are making it. MAKE THIS A DEMOCRATIC
CONVENTION!

Warnings

BE CAREFUL, when the chairman asks you to vote for
something without discussion. DEMAND DISCUSSION!
Be careful; when the chairman suggests that a person be
UNANIMOUSLY elected to an office; that is DICTATORSHIP!
Be careful; if the chairman says his critics are deliberately
destructive; HEAR THE OTHER SIDE! Be careful, if the
chairman says there will be no time to vote; TIME MUST
BE MADE! Be careful; if the chairman refuses to recognize
a speaker from the floor; FREE SPEECH IS ESSENTIAL!
Be careful; in every way not to place unlimited power into the
hands of the Convention Committee. THERE MUST BE
REPRESENTATION, REPRESENTATION OF YOU! And
above all, INSIST UPON DEMOCRATIC CONDUCT OF
THE CONVENTION. DO NOT BE ROUGHLY
SUPPRESSED!

In Conclusion

It must be said that this pamphlet has been written not
because it is KNOWN that something dictatorial will happen.
This pamphlet was written only because of past actions of
the present Convention Committee. We sincerely hope we
are mistaken in our suspicions. But we have learned too
much from the past, not to be warned of the future.

The Publishers

Who are we that have published this? We are science
fiction fans, young men who believe that science fiction
is a new type of literature which must not have its future
destroyed by any selfish interests. We believe that free
speech, co-operation, and democratic acts and thoughts
must be granted to science fiction fandom. This pamphlet
was NOT published by the Queens Science Fiction League.
Likewise, it was NOT published by the Futurian Society of
New York. Nor by "communists." Nor by "Fascists." Nor
by any other clique or organization. This is published by a
group of science fiction fans for no other purpose than to
assure the person who attends the Convention a voice in the
Convention, and to set them on their guard against any
un-American dictatorial, or subversive management of the
Convention. DESPITE ANYONE, OR ANYTHING, THE
1939 WORLD'S SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION IS
BOUND TO BE A SUCCESS! And if the Convention
Committee should decide that democratic methods are best
we will be the first to admit that they deserve full credit and
praise for this gathering for the three days of July first, second
and third. MAY SCIENCE FICTION PROSPER!